The Fiat 600e – A Platform for Success?
With the drive towards sustainability at the forefront of automotive legislation, it is unsurprising to see mainstream manufacturers introducing a greater number of both hybrid and pure electric models, not only to reduce their own costs, but also to combat against the rise of Chinese brands in Europe. With this, platform sharing is fast becoming the norm and like it or not, Stellantis, parent company to Italian favourites Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Maserati, are doing things no differently. Sharing a platform with the 2023 Car of the Year winning Jeep Avenger, the Fiat 600 and forthcoming Alfa Romeo Junior (née Milano; who doesn’t forget that name change?) are of primary interest to us as lovers of Italian cars. As the Junior is a couple of months away from first test drives, it is the Fiat 600 under scrutiny here.
Taking its name from the Fiat 600 of the 1950s and 60s, this ‘nuovo 600’ takes all the ingredients that make the 500 a sales success and places them in a larger four door format, sitting below the 500X in the model line-up. The range starts at £23,975 for a 1.2L petrol/mild-hybrid 6-speed auto with 100 hp, jumping to £32,995 for the all-electric 600e ‘Red’, with a 54 kWh battery, putting out 154 hp. The range topping 600e ‘La Prima’ edition, as tested here, starts at £36,995. Many of the charming characteristics of the new 500 are carried over, such as the LED front and rear lights, and the design mostly works, although the rear is a little ‘frumpy’ to my eyes. 18” diamond cut alloys complete the look, and while we have to be thankful that they aren’t wheel trims, the “aerodynamic” design doesn’t really work for me. Despite this, the 600 does turn heads, although that may be due to the Sunset Orange paint on this example, one of four choices designed to represent the colours of an Italian summer. Interestingly, several people asked whether it was an Audi, although the chromed ‘600’ badging may have confused them.
Inside, the ivory, synthetic leather, which is standard in top spec ‘La Prima’ trim, really catches your eye, especially with the blue ‘Fiat’ stitching. Similarly, the dash fascia is not the usual black affair as found in German alternatives, and while some surface plastics are a bit scratchy, the fit and finish is solid. The range topper is packed full of creature comforts such as heated front seats, with electric and massage functionality for the driver, which is a nice feature to have. The infotainment system is smooth and is controlled via the 10” touchscreen mounted atop the dash, and although some may prefer a more integrated system, it doesn’t intrude or block any visibility. The built-in navigation system seemed to work well, though you only really find out the true quirks in a system when using it over time. Instead, many will make use of wireless CarPlay which is standard. Further points of note are a wireless phone charger which is hidden beneath an iPad-esque cover, preventing any distractions when driving. Given the trend for burying most features deep within the touchscreen menus, it is refreshing that some dashboard buttons remain, primarily for the climate control and radio on/off and volume controls. Ahead of the driver is a separate 7” TFT display which houses a breadth of information including the speedo, efficiency metrics, navigation directions and radar cruise functions. Interior space in the front is good and at 6’2”, I could get comfortable behind the multifunction wheel, with the seat able to get low enough that I didn’t feel perched on the car, although this did take away much of the space behind me. Shorter rear seat passengers however didn’t complain and commented on good visibility and easy access and egress. The 600e has ample interior cubbyholes, and plenty of cup holders, several of which easily accommodate 1.5 L bottles, while boot space (accessed via a powered tailgate) is decent, with space beneath the floor to hide any charging cables.
Performance figures for the 600e are modest, with 0-60 in 9 seconds and a top speed of 93 mph, but as with all EVs, it’s the instant torque which is most apparent. In this case, 260 NM helps the 600e feel spritely and whilst it doesn’t tear your head from your shoulders, it covers ground with ease. There are three driving modes (Eco, Normal and Sport), with the former restricting power and climate functions to eek out the maximum range. Around town, Eco mode was predominantly used, which coupled with the brake regeneration function, allowed for smooth, one-pedal progress. The combination of light steering, and advanced safety features such as blind spot monitoring, 360-degree sensors and a reversing camera, also made manoeuvring a breeze. Out of town, the ride remained pliant and imperfections in the road were soaked up, likely due the large sidewalls on the 215/55R18 Goodyear tyres, however at motorway speeds tyre noise was quite noticeable. The opportunity to try the adaptive cruise control, toggled from the wheel, revealed autonomous level 2 functionality, which enabled the car to both adjust its speed and steer itself to maintain lane position. Perhaps a little disconcerting at first, once you learn to trust it, it is remarkably intuitive. Thankfully most of these features can be turned off for those who prefer less intrusion. Switching to sport mode unlocks all 154 hp, whereas in lesser modes you have to push through ‘kickdown’ to feel a step-up in acceleration. It’s only when pushing on that you begin to notice some weight behind the 600e (1520 kg to be exact). Despite being on the lighter side of competitor EVs, a 240 kg increase over the 600 hybrid, and a 91 kg increase over a Giulia Veloce, is surprising. However, despite the heft, body roll remained intact, and the brakes held up well, leading to quite an entertaining cross-country drive. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a hot hatch, nor is it pretending to be. That is the job of the forthcoming Abarth variant. However, what the 600e does well is cover ground smoothly and comfortably, which will be the primary criteria of most prospective customers.
During my time with the 600e I didn’t have to visit a charging station, so can’t comment on the quoted 27-minute 20-80% charge time using a 100 kW DC charger, but a range just shy of 250 miles with 99% battery remaining did seem realistic (Fiat quote 254 miles WLTP combined). Fiat offer two types of wall-box to enable more efficient charging at home, up to 22 kW, priced at either £584 or £743. With this option, plugging the 600e in overnight would certainly help avoid any range anxiety issues and likely fulfil most user’s requirements, only requiring the use of larger charging stations on significantly longer journeys. To pass time when parked up charging you can even play games via the central screen, which is a novelty.
After living with the 600e for a day, the overall opinion is that as petrolheads, we shouldn’t be as worried about the ‘electric revolution’ as once feared. Not once during my time with the 600e did I think that an engine would improve the car. Aside from the price, which despite being relatively affordable compared with other EVs, may be a bit steep for some, what the 600e highlights is a competent, capable platform which will appeal to many. This car soaks up day-to-day journeys, allowing you to step out fully relaxed. Perhaps more importantly, it offers hope for the forthcoming Alfa Romeo Junior, which is a 600e in a more stylish outfit and with a more focused drive. Undoubtedly, it is likely to be a recipe for success.
With thanks to the team at Donnelly Group NI, Mallusk for the lend of the vehicle.
Aaron McCalmont
NIIMC motoring correspondent
